Helping People Injured in MO Rear-end Accidents Recover for their Losses
Few accidents happen as suddenly and with as little warning as most rear-end accidents. In many cases, an impact comes as a complete surprise to the occupants of the vehicle being struck. One could be sitting at a stoplight or slowing down to make a turn, when suddenly a violent impact occurs, potentially resulting in serious injuries. These injuries could include broken bones, concussions, facial lacerations, and other soft tissue injuries that may require significant medical care and keep victims from working for an extended period of time. Fortunately, in many cases, victims can recover after a rear-end accident for these and other losses they experience as a result of an accident.
The St. Louis car accident attorneys of The Bruning Law Firm are experienced litigators who work tirelessly to get their clients the full value of their legal claims. To schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident injury lawyers, call our office today at 314-735-8100.
A Presumption of Driver Fault in St. Louis MO
Under Missouri law, there is a presumption that the driver of a vehicle that rear-ends another vehicle is at fault for the accident. This presumption comes from as the “rear-end collision doctrine,” which can be raised if a driver can show that he or she had a right to be in the roadway, that he or she was struck from behind by another vehicle, and that he or she was not otherwise negligent. Procedurally, this is important because it shifts the burden of proof1 upon the defendant to establish that he or she was not negligent, rather than upon the plaintiff to establish negligence, as is most often the case. There are many reasons that a driver may cause a rear-end accident. Some of the most common include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Ignoring poor weather conditions
- Following too closely.
It is important for victims to be aware that the fact they were rear-ended does not mean that their case will not be contested by the other party. As a result, anyone who has been involved in a rear-end accident should retain legal counsel as soon as possible.
Contact a St. Louis Rear-end Accident Attorney Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
Rear-end accident victims may be entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic losses, including their medical expenses, lost income, property damage, among others. To schedule a free consultation with one of our St. Louis auto accident injury lawyers, call our office today at 314-735-8100 or send us an email through our online contact form available here.